Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo slugs his way into Cubs’ recordbooks

With his home runs against the Diamondbacks Tuesday night, Anthony Rizzo moved further into the record books, and closer to being an all-time Chicago Cubs’ great.

The list of great Chicago Cubs players is growing right before our eyes. Jon Lester, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras are certainly etching their names on that list. But, Anthony Rizzo is starting to scribe his name on another list. It is the list of all-time Cubs’ greats.

If you are anything like me, any time you watch the Cubs play you are in a glass case of emotion. One slight change in the game will cause your mood to swing faster than a teenager after their parents tell them no. Yet, when certain players come to the plate, you are filled with peace and hope. Right now, that player is probably Rizzo. Rightfully so.

Rizzo is one of the most consistent Cubs players. You know he will put up a great at-bat. He may not always come through, but the effort is always present. Add in his fun spirit and broad shoulders for carrying the team, and you have a great player.

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How great?

I am glad you asked. He is one of the best in Cubs history. Period. Don’t believe me? Okay. Let me provide you some evidence.

Rizzo is currently in his six season with the Chicago Cubs. In the three previous seasons, he launched at least 25 home runs. Now, it is four seasons in a row after he launched two home runs off Arizona Diamondbacks pitching last night.

Here is a list of other left-handed Cubs batters with at least four consecutive seasons of 25 home runs:

Billy Williams.

Not good enough? Okay. How about all Cubs batters?

Williams, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Aramis Ramirez, Hank Sauer, Hack Wilson and Sammy Sosa.

So, five Hall of Fame players, a three-time All-Star third-baseman, outfielder that earned the MVP, and Sosa.

Currently, Rizzo sits 14th on the Cubs’ all-time home run list with 159 so far. Thirteen more and he ties Andre Dawson. Should he keep up his average of 30 home runs per year – which he is on-pace to raise that average this year – he will become fifth on this list when his contract is up. He would pass Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Hack Wilson, Bill Nicholson, and Sandberg.

What more is that his career WAR numbers place him in the top 25 Cubs ever. Furthermore, he is already top 50 in many offensive categories for the team.

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Sure. Rizzo will play for many more years. And, turning 28 in just a few days, he is in the prime of his career. If he keeps this up, we will see the number 44 on a white flag flying above Wrigley.